Ferg & Jude\'s Thailand Adventure 2002

Thursday 21st November
Wat Arun & markets...markets

Sadly our last full day in Bangkok. Took the skytrain down to the river and explored the Bangrat Markets near the Saphan Taksin pier. It was mostly food but very colourful.

We caught the river ferry up to Banglamphu and walked around the markets near Khao San Road. I never thought I say this but I was becoming marketed out. We bought some Thai pants and T-shirts. We stopped at the Khao San Centre for lunch. Great food, I had a freshly baked baguette with chicken and Ferg chose his favourite Thai meal, Chicken noodle soup.

After lunch we took a ferry to Tha Tien pier and hopped on a cross river ferry to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). It only cost 20bt to get in and is definitely worth a look. The were fantastic tiled chedis. Their surfaces were covered in a myriad of coloured tiles and little blue & white plates. There were intricate gargoyles surrounding each chedi. We only stayed for ½ an hour as it was extremely hot. Would recommend visiting this place in late afternoon when the sun isn't so fierce.

While we were waiting for the cross river ferry we were treated to a river procession of highly decorated canoes. We found out later that it was a religious ceremony. They were transporting some religious artifacts down river to another Wat.

We slipped back to the hotel for a rest then headed out again in the early evening to a new night market new the Sala Daeng station. We wandered around the markets, they were very well laid out and there were some interesting stalls. We found the food court and had a great meal while watching a volleyball match on a giant screen. There was also a Thai band playing excellent music. It was a lovely end to a wonderful adventure.

Friday 22nd November
All good things must come to an end...

Our final day had come. After a quick breakfast at 7am we hailed a taxi and it took us an hour to get to the airport and cost 200bt. The taxi driver drove like a maniac, using lanes in the traffic that weren't even there, just forcing his way through. It took another ¾ hour to check in and pay our departure tax of 500bt. Finally through to the duty free shops and eventually boarded our plane at 11.15am.

It had been an exciting journey, an experience of a life time. I hope to return again one day, Thailand is a wonderful place. No wonder they call it the "Land of the Smiles".

Footnote:
Jess and Jude are off to Thailand in June 2004, read our travelogue as I introduce my 13 year old daughter to the wonders of travel in Thailand.